The mystery surrounding Pepper Johnson's departure from the New England Patriots has been solved.

After 14 years in New England, Johnson left the Patriots last
month without any real explanation for the move. It was billed as a mutual
decision in a press release issued by the organization, but it sounds as though
Johnson, who recently hooked on with the Buffalo Bills as a defensive line
coach, was simply ready to move on.

"My legs are still shaking a little bit. But I'm excited. I'm
so excited," Johnson told WGR 550, via the Bills' website. "I always have been a fan of Doug
(Marrone) and the Buffalo Bills (and it's) just getting the opportunity to
spread my wings and getting up from under the shadows of coach (Bill)
Belichick. So it's a good thing and a good opportunity. "

Johnson, who served as New England's linebackers coach last season, said that his move to Buffalo has already helped him
learn more about the game since he's being exposed to new ideas and
terminology.

Johnson also said that he
would one day like to become a defensive coordinator. His admission is telling
since it is widely believed that he was upset about being passed over as the
defensive coordinator when Matt Patricia was given the job in 2012.

"I would love to (be a defensive coordinator)," Johnson said.
"In a sense, those 13 years that I played in the NFL, I graduated to calling a
lot of the defenses and having the responsibility of running our defense and
being an extension of the coach from the sideline. It's a dream of mine, a goal
of mine."